Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration

Elder Tad R. Callister in his talk Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration talks about how some people when looking at the prophet Joseph Smith focus on his weaknesses and miss the amazing things he did. Don't we tend to do that to ourselves. Don't we have a way of looking at only the negatives? Satan has showed us that it is easier to look at the bad in ourselves and others then enjoy the good. Satan is a tricky devil.

Anyway back to the talk ... Elder Callister pointed out that because of Joseph Smith we now understand four basic principles that are central to our faith:

First: He "learned that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are two separate, distinct beings. The Bible confirms Joseph Smith’s discovery. It tells us that the Son submitted His will to the Father"(see Matthew 26:42). And this is further confirmed by “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16).

Second: He learned that "the Father and the Son have glorified bodies of flesh and bones. Following the Savior’s Resurrection, He appeared to His disciples and said, 'Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have' (Luke 24:39). "

Third: He learned "God still speaks to man today—that the heavens are not closed." The whole Book of Mormon and all modern day revelation is a testament to this truth.

Fourth: He learned that "the full and complete Church of Jesus Christ was not then upon the earth."

I am so grateful to Joseph Smith for asking Heavenly Father in prayer for help in deciding which way to go. I am so grateful he fulfilled his calling to restore the true church to Earth and translate what is now the Book of Mormon for us to receive further guidance from our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ.